December 28, 2003
OSAKA, JAPAN-A triple world title event here in Japan on January 3 is coming soon. The WBC flyweight champ Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Kratindaeng-Gym (49-2, 27 KOs), from Thailand, arrived in Tokyo on Friday eight days before his title defense against Trash Masaki Nakanuma (23-4, 10 KOs), a flamboyant puncher, in Yokohama on this coming Saturday. The formidable Thai southpaw, making his ninth defense, looked so sharp and speedy in his public workout on Saturday.
The WBA superfly champ Alexander Munoz (24-0, 23 KOs), Venezuela, arrived in Osaka today (Sunday), and started his workout for two hours at Osaka Teiken Gym. Munoz is to defend his WBA belt against ex-OPBF ruler Eiji Kojima (9-1, 2 KOs) at Osaka Central Gymnasium on the same January 3. The mandatory challenger Dimitri Kirilov (22-1, 7 KOs), Russia, also arrived this morning in Osaka to fight the WBC 115-pound defending champ Masamori Tokuyama (29-2-1, 8 KOs), Japan, in the main event of the same promotion in Osaka.
All are reported to be in good shape prior to the three world title bouts (two from Osaka and one from Yokohama) to be shown by TV Tokyo during the Japanese New Year holiday season.
(12-28-03)